After a month or more of rich treats, it can be hard to switch gears, even if you’ve gotten tired of candy and cookies. We put together a few suggestions for easing the transition from holiday indulgence to resolution fit.
- Don’t go overboard. Suddenly cutting out sugary foods and excess carbs can cause the body to go through withdrawal, which makes you irritable and more likely to give up the diet plan. Making gradual changes like adding in at least one balanced meal per day will ease you into the routine and make your healthy choices a lifestyle rather than a crash diet.
- Drink plenty of water. Not only does water help reduce your appetite, but it also flushes excess sodium from your body. This reduces bloating and aids in digestion. Be sure to drink the recommended 8 – 10 cups of water daily!
- Get organized. Keep a couple treats around for your indulgence days, but a freezer crammed with ice cream and a full cookie jar aren’t going to help here. Stock up on foods that are healthy as well as tasty – low-fat yogurt, veggies and dip, salsa, fruit, whole-wheat crackers and hummus are great options.
- Set realistic goals. Don’t try to lose any more than a pound or two a week, especially if you’ve indulged heavily over the holidays. Once you lose ten pounds, take a break and focus on maintaining before you try to lose any more.
- Stay positive. Developing or reclaiming a healthy lifestyle after weeks or months of cake and pie isn’t an overnight process. Go easy on yourself and allow for some slip-ups along the way. Just accept the setback and start fresh the next day or at the next meal. Tell yourself daily that you can be successful at meeting your healthy eating goals!
Learn more about fitness in Kettering!
_______________________
Sources
Kelly, Diana. “5 Steps to a Healthy Post-Holiday Detox.” Prevention. December 26, 2012. Accessed online December 19, 2017.
Reader’s Digest Editors. “20 Ways to Beat Post-Holiday Weight Gain.” Reader’s Digest. Accessed online December 19, 2017.
Sass, Cynthia. “3 Steps to Get Back on Track, Post-Holiday Indulgence.” Shape. Accessed online December 19, 2017.
Tallmadge, Katherine. “7 Simple Steps for a Post-Holiday Health Detox.” LiveScience. January 4, 2014. Accessed online December 19, 2017.